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Kingston (Jamaica) (AFP) - US President Barack Obama had been on the verdant Caribbean island of Jamaica less than 24 hours --
and had already visited Bob Marley's former home --
before he was asked by a dreadlocked Rastafarian about legalizing marijuana.
In a Kingston town hall event, participant Miguel Williams, sporting a "Rasta4life" wrist band, asked the US commander-in-chief if he would become ganja’s champion.
"Give thanks! Yes greetings Mr President," said Williams, "life and blessings on you and your family." "My name is Miguel Williams but you can call I and I 'steppa'... That is quite sufficient, ya man."
Unperturbed by giggles from the audience, Williams set forth his case for legalization and decriminalization of the hemp industry and marijuana.
A man (L) asks US President Barack Obama about decriminalizing marijuana during a town hall meeting … The Rastafari faith includes the spiritual use of cannabis. "How did I anticipate this question?" was Obama's joking response. "Well," he said adding a comic sigh. "There is the issue of legalization of marijuana and then there is the issue of decriminalizing or dealing with the incarceration in some cases devastation of communities as a consequence of non-violent drug offenses," Obama said.
"I am a very strong believer that the path that we have taken in the United States in the so-called 'war on drugs' has been so heavy in emphasizing incarceration that it has been counterproductive," he said to some cheers.
But on the question of whether the United States should, in the words of reggae musician Peter Tosh "legalize it" Obama was more circumspect. "I do not foresee, any time soon, Congress changing the law at a national basis."
Watched this earlier.
I am particularly perturbed by Obamas condescending, "how did I anticipate this question?", (followed by the uptight self righteous chortle from many)
He does hint however that the legalization movement may be gaining some momentum but is for some reason downplaying what is really going on.
I'm sure many of you have seen this. It's on the front page of yahoo.com.
I and I sharing it here anyway.
edit on 10-4-2015 by GoShredAK because: Links
originally posted by: Metallicus
a reply to: GoShredAK
I am particularly perturbed by Obamas condescending, "how did I anticipate this question?", (followed by the uptight self righteous chortle from many)
Wait! Obama was condescending? Say it ain't so?!?
originally posted by: Cuervo
a reply to: GoShredAK
I can't picture any president we've ever had being that open to the idea, at least not publicly.
And I didn't take his joke at the beginning as dismissive or anything other than jest. It worked.
originally posted by: BoxFulder
It will be legal on a federal level in 10 years, as more and more baby boomers die off so do their power over the country.
originally posted by: GoShredAK
a reply to: Cuervo
I think he addressed the fact that what is to come is inevitable.
I can't shake the fact that he stereotyped the kind Rastafarian man in a rude manner.